Theda Ruth Sirlin

It is with heavy hearts we share that Theda Sirlin died peacefully after a long illness on January 28, 2025 at Sacramento.

Theda was born in Tennessee on February 15, 1936 and grew up in Florida. She graduated from Ocala High School in 1954, and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Army, where she was stationed in Alabama for Basic Training. She then graduated from the U.S. Army Signal Corp Photo School, where she was the only woman assigned there with 15,000 men (!). Theda was then sent to Ft. Monroe, Virginia, where she was the only photographer there for a time. Her many assignments included photographing plane accidents, nuclear missile sites, and visiting dignitaries. One of her favorite photoshoots was the USS Forrestal Air Craft Carrier from a helicopter.

After discharge, Theda moved to California, where she began working at Sirlin Studios. First she was a receptionist, then she was a salesperson, then she was the bosses wife (!). Ted and she had three children, Janet, Sue, and David. She leaves one grandchild, Michelle. While raising her children, she obtained her real estate license, and thereafter her real estate broker’s license while working at Jones, Brand & Hullin. She passed both tests on her first attempt—something she was very proud of. Theda was also a foster mother for 25 newborn babies (one at a time) during the 1970s.

Theda was an avid sports lover. She watched anything and everything, but her favorites were the 49ers, the SF Giants, and Tiger Woods. She played basketball (her favorite), softball and volleyball in both high school and in the army. She later played in various Sacramento Adult leagues. Later in life via the internet, she thoroughly enjoyed keeping in touch with her former Ocala High classmates. Despite these rewarding activities, her family was always most important to her, and she made sure each of them always knew how much they were loved.

Theda was preceded in death by her father (Virgil Braden), her stepfather (William A. Patton), her mother (Reba Patton), her brother Kenneth Patton, and her husband (Ted Sirlin). She is survived by her three children, Janet Roberts, Sue Sirlin (Tanya Fields), David Sirlin (Lina Sirlin), granddaughter Michelle DeVaughn (Mark), and brothers Eugene Braden (Barbara) and Wayne Patton (Diane).

 At her request there will be no services.